The Lawrenceville School

Indeed, the Lawrenceville experience is over 200 years in the making, and core to that heritage is the value we place on our close, caring community. Young people encounter rigorous challenge in a highly supportive environment, and with this careful preparation, year after year, our talented graduates head out into the world with the confidence to thrive and the conviction to make a difference.

But better yet, come for a visit so that we can welcome you in person. The moment you walk on campus, you’ll start to get a feel. That feeling goes beyond the beautiful nineteenth century Houses and academic buildings on The Circle that evoke tradition. It is deeper than the creative spirit that you will see in our arts facilities. It is far more than the competitive edge you will recognize as you walk our playing fields, where our teams play hard, play fair, and play to win. You will be struck above all by the warmth of the people.

At the heart of this great school is the belief that our students dig deeper, reach higher, and stretch further when they feel the embrace of supportive peers and the mentorship of caring adults who know when and how to challenge them. That’s the Lawrenceville difference. This sense of community is fostered by the close-knit House system where young Lawrentians develop a deep sense of belonging; it is forged around the close confines of the Harkness table, where teachers engage the intellect, encourage students to grapple with ideas, and teach lifelong respect and humility.

Ensuring the future of Lawrenceville requires a belief in the essential values of the School, bold aspirations for its long-term needs, and the courage to act to meet those needs. With that in mind, we are pleased to share Lawrenceville 20/20: A Strategic Plan for The Lawrenceville School. We present this ambitious plan for the future, a stretching set of aspirations that will focus our time, energy, and resources for the coming years. And in doing so, we build on rock-solid foundations that come from strong traditions, famously loyal alumni and parent support, and a world-class faculty and staff.

The plan outlines our vision for the School as well as our strategic priorities and implementation plan to ensure Lawrenceville’s next era of success. It also introduces our new Mission Statement: Through House and Harkness, Lawrenceville challenges a diverse community of promising young people to lead lives of learning, integrity, and high purpose. Our mission is to inspire the best in each to seek the best for all.

An essential component to student growth and learning at Lawrenceville is the feedback they receive from their teachers, both in person and in writing. Full academic reports are sent home at the end of each trimester; interim reports are sent in the middle of each trimester. Reports include comments and grades from each teacher, indicating the student’s accomplishment, effort, and attitude. Interim reports are brief evaluations of the student’s academic situation at mid-term without specific grades. In addition to the formal reporting system in the middle and at the end of each term, teachers relay information about a student’s academic progress, both good and bad, to the adviser, Housemaster and the Academic Dean through reports called Academic Memos, sent at the discretion of each teacher throughout the term.